So newbie and so in need of guidance!

[devilsprofessor]

Hi All!

Complete, never tiled in my life, newbie here! But, I'm up for giving it a go.

I want to file the floor in my kitchen, which is linked to my dining room with an arch way and is at the most a grand total of 2m sq. This includes the space under my fridge, dish washer and washing machine.

I live in a brand new house. The floor is concrete and I'm pretty hopful it's pretty flat.

I've googled loads but I can't find a guide that answers all my points. I get the bits on putting adhesive on the floor, spacers, checking where I'm putting them but could someone help me with the following;

- How do I prepare the floor?
- Do I grout the space between the tile and the skirting board/kick board/cupboard? Or so I use silicone.
- As it's a kitchen am I best sealing the whole floor - will it be water proof if my washing machine ever dies?
- Any advice on what to do at the threshold of the archway leading to the dining room. It currently leads onto bamboo floor.

Thanks in advance - I cannot wait to get going!

[faithhealer]

whoooaa there boy one thing at a time, welcome to the forum, decide what tiles you want first.

[devilsprofessor]

Well I wanted granite or slate. Then that got me thinking do I need to have a type of insulation so the tiles aren't freezing! So many questions!

[merlecollins]

Hi and .

Hi All!

Complete, never tiled in my life, newbie here! But, I'm up for giving it a go.

I want to file the floor in my kitchen, which is linked to my dining room with an arch way and is at the most a grand total of 2m sq.
This includes the space under my fridge, dish washer and washing machine.

You sure bearing in mind the fridge, dishwasher and washing machine is about 1.5m2 in total, that doesn't leave you much floor space to walk around in

I live in a brand new house. The floor is concrete and I'm pretty hopful it's pretty flat.

I've googled loads but I can't find a guide that answers all my points. I get the bits on putting adhesive on the floor, spacers, checking where I'm putting them but could someone help me with the following;

- How do I prepare the floor? If it's a new concrete floor and flat, you don't need to do anything
- Do I grout the space between the tile and the skirting board/kick board/cupboard? Or so I use silicone. I always try to take the skirtings off and fix back on top of the finished floor - if thats not possible flexible grout should do the job, but silicone will be better
- As it's a kitchen am I best sealing the whole floor - will it be water proof if my washing machine ever dies? What do you mean by sealing?
- Any advice on what to do at the threshold of the archway leading to the dining room. It currently leads onto bamboo floor. You can get ramp transition trims in various finishes, look at Schluter.com. Or get a timber thresh made that bridges the gap/height difference

Thanks in advance - I cannot wait to get going!

Anything else, don't hesitate to ask

[david campbell]

to the forum
i would remove the skirting and use silicone btween the walls and tiles then replace the skirting although it might not be possible with the slate as it tends to vary in thickness

[Dave]

Welcome..

Bear in mind that Granite or Slate will be wet machine cut only..

You can hire a wet cutter from most Tool hire shops.

[Scott]

As long as your floor is level then you should be ok.

[devilsprofessor]

Merelecolins that was a great reply and answered what I needed.

In relation to sealing I had read u can spray the finished product
to do this? Have I misunderstood? Can you make it waterproof?

Thanks for the advice on wet cutting, clearly I had no clue! maybe that
isn't something I should try first time?

Anyone got any suggestions on the best tiles for the kitchen that ain't
gonna be freezing??

Thanks everyone for ur help ( doing this on iPhone so can't
flick up to see ur names...but thanks!!)

[whitebeam]

Hi and welcome

[timeless john]

Merelecolins that was a great reply and answered what I needed.

In relation to sealing I had read u can spray the finished product
to do this? Have I misunderstood? Can you make it waterproof?

Thanks for the advice on wet cutting, clearly I had no clue! maybe that
isn't something I should try first time?

Anyone got any suggestions on the best tiles for the kitchen that ain't
gonna be freezing??

Thanks everyone for ur help ( doing this on iPhone so can't
flick up to see ur names...but thanks!!)

What area are you from and have you considered a Tiler from the Forum to help/fix for you.
a) you can get sprayable sealers.
b) Under floor heating for cold tiles - or wear slippers.
c) Part of the floor is Bamboo!!!!!

Not all jobs should be considered a DIY experience.

But power to your elbow and good luck

[Phil Hobson]

Hi and some good advice above, but if your foor is concrete, and not screed. I have doubts about the flatness of the floor

[faithhealer]

I think asking dave for a tiler in your area might be a good bet.

[Colour Republic]

.
c) Part of the floor is Bamboo!!!!!

I don't think he want's to tile over the Bamboo it butts upto it

[suave]